Expandable drawer apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An adjustable drawer where a frame type of drawer can be made to fit an furniture application with any size of opening by providing a split frame that expands either in width, length or both to fit the opening. The expansion mechanism can be made from sets of single or double telescoping tubing. The drawer can also be made to collapse for storage, stocking or shipping.

This application is related to and claims priority to Brazilian patent application number MU8400722-2 filed Mar. 10, 2004.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of shelves and drawers and more particularly to an expandable drawer apparatus and method.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are many drawers on the market of various sizes, shapes and types made from various materials. These drawers while fulfilling their goal of holding objects are generally sold in fixed sizes and shapes with width and depth matching the piece of furniture the drawer is intended for. The width of a particular application thus results in a drawer of fixed width to fit to size of the opening that is to contain it.

What is badly needed is a drawer apparatus and method that can expand either in width or depth to match a particular application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an expandable drawer apparatus and method with at least two separate frame parts where the first frame part is expandably coupled to the second frame part so that width (or length, or any other dimension) of the first and second frame parts taken together is adjustable. The expansion of the two frame parts can be accomplished by the use of sets of telescoping tubes each with an inner tube attached to said one of the frame parts and an outer tube attached to the other frame part so that the inner tube slides into and out of the outer tube. This type of expansion can be used to create a drawer that can be expanded or contracted in width or length to fit any furniture opening or cabinet. The expandable drawers can be made from metal such as aluminum, stainless steel or plastic or any other rigid material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an expandable drawer frame in a cabinet.

FIG. 2 shows the drawer frame of FIG. 1 removed from the cabinet.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an expandable drawer.

FIG. 4 shows a different embodiment of an expandable drawer.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an expandable drawer.

Certain illustrations and figures have been presented to better aid in the understanding of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of an expandable drawer. FIG. 1 shows a cabinet 1 with a drawer frame 2 mounted inside. The width or length or any other dimension of the drawer is determined by a set of telescoping tubes 3,4. A set of inner tubes 4 slide into a corresponding set of outer tubes 3. The sliding action of the two sets of tubes can be checked or stopped with a locking mechanism (not shown). This could be an optional twist or squeeze lock.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the drawer frame from FIG. 1 removed from the cabinet. Usually, the drawer or drawer frame is attached with a pair of standard furniture slide rails 5 that slide into and out of the drawer frame 2. These rails are optional. The drawer can be fixed in the cabinet and not slide out.

It should be understood that the concept of telescoping tube parts of the drawer apparatus of the present invention can be applied for length as well as width or any other dimension.

To use the concepts of the present invention, one merely gauges the width (or length) of a given application and then adjusts the sliding tubes accordingly to achieve any width (or length). Optionally, this dimension can then be locked. The present invention finds particular application to wire type drawers such as are found in refrigerators, dishwashers and other appliances; however, the present invention applies to any drawer for any type of application.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a particular drawer showing the outer 3 and inner 4 telescoping tubes. Other parts of the drawer 6 can be normal structural wire drawer parts.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a particular drawer. Here the inner tubing piece 3 has been given a more decorative look. Any type or look of the pieces of the drawer are within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a wire type of drawer such as one that might be found in a dishwasher or a clothes cabinet. A frame 2 is connected to a slide mount piece 5 that secures the drawer to a cabinet (not shown). Each horizontal rung has an inner 3 and outer 4 sliding part so that the width can be adjusted.

The drawer apparatus of the present invention can be made from any rigid material including stainless steel, aluminum, other metals and plastic.

The present invention presents a useful apparatus that allows drawers or shelves to be sized to meet different applications by using extendable pieces for either width, length or both. Guides and drawer structural pieces can be of any size or cross-section, and can be made or metal, plastic or any other rigid or semi-rigid material. In many cases, the drawer can be fitted to universal tracks well known in the furniture industry. The drawer apparatus and method of the present invention can be used to size and fit a drawer or shelf to a number of different sized openings of different furniture design. The preferred method of providing this expansion or adjustment in size is through the use of telescoping tubing 3,4 shown in FIGS. 1-5. The present invention also has the capability of being collapsible, therefore occupying a smaller physical space for storage, stocking or transportation.

Various descriptions and illustrations of the present invention have been presented to better aid in its understanding. One of skill in the art this invention pertains to will understand that numerous changes and variations are possible. Each of these changes or variations is within the scope of the present invention. 

1. An expandable drawer apparatus comprising: a first frame portion; a second frame portion; said first frame portion expandably coupled to said second portion so that width of said first and second frame portions taken together is adjustable.
 2. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one set of telescoping tubes comprising an inner tube portion attached to said first frame portion and an outer tube portion attached to said second frame portion, whereby said inner tube slides into and out of said outer tube.
 3. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame portions are made of stainless steel.
 4. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame portions are made of plastic.
 5. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame portions are made of aluminum.
 6. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second frame portions are attached to a furniture slide.
 7. An expandable drawer apparatus comprising: a first frame portion; a second frame portion; said first frame portion expandably coupled to said second portion with at least one set of telescoping tubes so that width of said first and second frame portions taken together is adjustable; each set of telescoping tubes comprising an inner tube portion attached to said first frame portion and an outer tube portion attached to said second frame portion, whereby said inner tube slides into and out of said outer tube.
 8. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 7 wherein said frame portions are made of stainless steel.
 9. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 7 wherein said frame portions are made of plastic.
 10. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 7 wherein said frame portions are made of aluminum.
 11. The expandable drawer apparatus of claim 7 further comprising at least one sliding track attached to at least one frame portion.
 12. A method of creating a universal drawer piece that can match width or length of different furniture applications comprising the steps of: providing both a first and second frame portion, said first frame portion being expandably coupled by at least one set of telescoping tubes to said second frame portion; providing said telescoping tubes with an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion wherein the inner tube portion slides into and out of the outer tube portion.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said frame portions are made of stainless steel.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said frame portions are made of plastic.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein said frame portions are made of aluminum.
 16. The method of claim 12 further comprising at least one sliding track attached to at least one frame portion. 